Eid marks not only the end of the holy month of Ramadan, but also the occasion for a number of festive traditions. Families gather during Eid, eat kahk (insert hyperlink for recipe once up) and buy new clothes. Since the weather is good, Eid means you'll find people picnicking in parks, by the Nile and in the grassy round-a-bouts around town. For us, Eid not only means a chance for a couple days off, but also a number of other things. In fact, as people, more than as journalists, this is what we gathered as the five signs of Eid.
1. The cracking sound of 'bombs'
The little hand made fire crackers that children throw out of their windows and on to the ground are the signature tune of the Eid. Made out of paper, wire and powder, these little noise makers have also been known to explode in pockets and blow off fingers! All the same, one can hear the tell-tale “crack, crack” in the middle of the night after the last day of Ramadan.
2. New and colorful clothes
Another sign of Eid is the prevalence of people in the streets dressed in colorful clothes, Eid clothing – lovely new clothes bought specially for the occasion.
3. Harassment
An unfortunate by-product of a month of resisting temptations, Eid brings a new surge of energy into the crowd that participates in sexual harassment. Avoid downtown!
4. Empty streets
Eid means that a large number of Caireans take the chance of a few extra days off and escape the city and the lack of traffic is noticeable. This year the weather is warm enough for people to go to the north coast as well as Sinai, Ain Sokhna and in some cases, out of the country all together. Lebanon is a common Eid destination because of its proximity to Egypt, Turkey and Mediterranean Europe follow in popularity.
5. Kahk
The official dessert of Eid, kahk (recipe hyperlinked) is made mainly of flour, butter and powdered sugar. Kahk is slightly different all over the Arab world but recently in Egypt, people have commented that it is appearing earlier and earlier, as if in preparation for the Eid. Christmas in July? Perhaps.
